For many retirees, dividend investing feels like the perfect solution. Regular dividend payments create a predictable income stream, mimicking the paychecks they received during their working years. This psychological comfort—knowing that cash will keep coming in without having to sell investments—makes dividends especially appealing for those in retirement. Plus, dividend-paying companies are often seen as stable and reliable, adding to the sense of financial security. But is dividend investing really the best strategy for retirees? While it offers stability, it…
Blog
Categories:
Vanguard: Love The Index Funds, Not So Much The Custodian
I have long been on the record that the best way to invest your money is in low cost index funds. In my mind it’s the smartest, most efficient, best bang for your buck way to invest. They’re cheaper than mutual funds, more diversified than single stocks. Vanguard funds, founded by John Bogle in 1974, has really revolutionized investing. Decades ago, it was either extremely difficult (logistically) to invest in a diversified portfolio, and it was rather expensive. Vanguard set…
Why You Should Consider a Part-Time Job in Retirement
You’ve worked for years in your field and have finally decided it’s time to hang up your hat and pursue a new adventure in life—retirement—a time in life when you finally have the freedom to do anything you want. However, the reality is that after some time, you may find yourself bored and looking for ways to fill the time once dedicated to your career. One way to fill your newly found time is to take up a part-time job….
If You’re Over 80, You Need to Avoid Stairs
Falls are a serious concern as we age, and it’s something many people don’t think about until it’s too late. There’s been a recent surge of some high-profile politicians who have found themselves injured after falls, underscoring how easily it can happen, especially when you’re older. Politicians Taking a Tumble Nancy Pelosi: In 2024, while walking down a marble staircase in Luxembourg, Pelosi fell and ended up needing hip surgery.Mitch McConnell: In 2023, McConnell fractured his ribs and suffered a…
When And How To Take Your RMDs
As you approach retirement, managing your savings and investments becomes one of your top priorities. You want to make sure you have enough saved, have the right investments, a solid distribution strategy, and more. But one thing that you can’t overlook is your responsibility to handle something called Required Minimum Distributions (RMDs)—mandatory withdrawals from certain retirement accounts once you reach a specific age. Failing to take these distributions on time can lead to significant penalties. In this post, we’ll break…
Best Discounts After You Turn 60
Turning 60 is a big deal. Sure, you’re not quite the age where you can claim Medicare, but reaching the golden years still has advantages, especially when you can now use senior discounts on some of your most frequent purchases (and even the fun ones too). Senior discounts are easily one of the biggest benefits of turning older. Getting discounts from your favorite stores, restaurants, and other entertainment can help you stretch your budget while still living life to the…
5 Ways to Make Your Home Easier as You Age
As you get older, it is important to start thinking about where you’ll spend your retirement. While some people opt for a retirement community, many would prefer to stay in their own homes (or “age in place”). Choosing to spend your retirement in your own home has many benefits. For starters, it can be cheaper than moving into a retirement community, is often more comfortable, and lets you stay active with your established social network. However, the reality is that…
The Downside of Diversification
Don’t put all your eggs in one basket. If you’ve been researching investments for any length of time, you’ve probably heard that admonition. You might also have heard – “there is no free lunch – except diversification. That quote is attributed to economist Harry Markowitz, who won a Nobel peace price for his work on something called Modern Portfolio Theory. In other words, this idea of diversification is highly revered, even among the higher echelon of investment advisors and economists….
The Only Annuity Strategy I Would Ever Use
I do not love annuities. I don’t even like them. I’ve never recommended them to clients, and I highly doubt that would ever change. It’s still not even going to change today. That said, there is one strategy where I think it makes sense for some people. Before we get into the strategy, let’s briefly discuss the two annuities I really don’t like, and then we’ll talk about the one I dislike the least. First is the Variable Annuity. A…
Your Credit Score Is Overrated. Focus On This Instead
We hear so much commentary about our credit scores. Hacks to get a perfect credit score. Why your credit score is oh so important. Why your credit score will make you a happier person. After a while, it’s easy to fall into the hype and start obsessing over your credit score. But there is one glaring problem with all this focus on your credit score: HAVING A GOOD CREDIT SCORE DOESN’T MEAN THAT YOU’RE FINANCIALLY SUCCESSFUL. Just imagine someone who makes a good…